Hello,

I have had the band for 3 years now...I know it's supposed to restrict how much food I eat..but does anyone still feel hungry but physically can't eat anymore because their pouch is full and if you put anymore in, it's just going to come up??? I find myself eating some...waiting...and then eating more..because I still have the underlying hunger feeling...Help!!! Anyone feel the same??

yes to your question. I have to ask myself all the time, are you really hungry or is it brain hunger? most of the time it's brain hunger. especially at night time. I have a super hard time when the sun goes down. but at least my band won't let me eat a whole bag of chips, or half gallon of ice cream. but I won't lose wt either if I keep putting my grubby little hands in the likes of above. I am unable to exercise right now and I used to do that when that unwanted hunger used to hit. I have no simple help here. it's all up to you and what you chose to do instead of eating. exercise, take a bath, read, computer games, talk on phone. make a healthy shake have a protein bar. a cup of hot coffee or tea. get your yard ready for spring. I don't have the excuse of to cold or snow this year. good luck

i get hungry and i eat

i know my band limits what i can eat (the amount)

so since that is the case, i try to eat as filling/protein rich foods as i can

to carry me over......that being said, if i am truly hungry (and not head hunger like terry explained), i eat....eating is not a bad thing...its what we are eating in my opinion.

hang in there

Really need to assess if that is head hunger or legitimate hunger. Based on your description your fighting head hunger and the band will not help (much) with that. That is mental part of the lifestyle change you must come to terms with. Also, you need to be careful with grazing as well. Eating until your full and then waiting an hour and eating again and on and on will not lead you to lose weight.

I definitely recommend talking to a Nutritionist and explain what is going on.

It has never stopped me from being hungry. If you are hungry eat. Eat six small meals a day Protein based.

I will tell you something that my nutritionist said to at a group meeting once and it stuck with me.

It should take you no more then 20 minutes to eat your meal. If you are eating anything after that 20 minutes you are eating into your next meal.

We should be eating only 3 meals a day and possibly a snack if hungry. So if you feel hungry all the time, and it's not head hunger it may be that you need a tweak to your fill level, or you might want to do what Cheryl suggested and break up your meals to 6 mini meals a day.

Which does not mean eat 6 whole meals a day, it means break your 3 down to 6 smaller meals. So your eating half a meal every few hours rather then a whole meal 3 times a day.

Keep tabs on your hunger level and thirst. Sometimes hunger is really thirst and having a beverage will satisfy you. If not, then you should ask yourself where is the hunger coming from...is it above the shoulders or below? If it is below you need to eat something, if it's not...and it's head hunger find something else to do to distract yourself and the feeling will subside.

Check in with your doc though and make sure your band is at the optimal level for you that would be my first step.

Thank you all for your replies. It's great knowing you all are out there willing to share.

High Protein foods help with head hunger...which is what it sounds like you are describing. Being 3 years out, you may have lost your motivation. I would suggest talking to a counselor and attending support meetings. I don't go to meetings, but I plan to when I feel it's necessary - like years down the road and I need a reminder of how far I've come...and where I don't want to go back to.